Hydrangea Plant named &#39;BC8.3&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea macrophylla  (Thunb.) named ‘BC8.3’ originated as a controlled cross between varieties. The cultivar ‘BC8.3’ can be blue or red depending on the acidity of the soil and the presence of aluminum. The variety ‘BC8.3’ has compact, attractive inflorescences with large sepalous florets that do not completely hide the non-sepalous florets at the center of the cyme, attractive sepal pigmentation, and stems that branch easily and are relatively strong. When grown without aluminum, the upper sides of the sepals of the sepalous florets are primarily R.H.S. 73 A (red-purple group) at the center of the floret and the sepals are R.H.S. 56 A (red group) at their periphery.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BC8.3’

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘BC8.3’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of the Saxifragaceae family. The botanical name of the plant is Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BC8.3’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled cross between the unpatented, commercial variety known as ‘Nizza’ to the inventor, and a commercial variety known as ‘Messalina’ to the inventor.

The variety ‘BC8.3’ has compact, attractive inflorescences with relatively large sepalous florets that ring and almost hide all of the non-sepalous florets in the center of the panicle, attractive sepal pigmentation and stems that branch easily and are relatively strong. This combination of characteristics makes the plant ideal for commercial production as an ornamental potted plant. Below is a table comparing the new variety to similar varieties. The new variety was grown alongside the commercial variety known as ‘Venedig’ (grown as a pink variety) to the inventor, which may be an alias for the patented variety ‘Venice Raven’-U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,928, as a control.

TABLE 1 Commerical variety ‘Venedig’ which may be US Plant Patent Currently Patent 10,928 Currently Patent Currently Patent Pending Variety ‘Venice Raven’ Pending Variety Pending Variety New Variety Grown without ‘BC8.3’ ‘BC7.13’ ‘BC7.12’ aluminum Leaf size 10 cm × 16 cm 9 cm × 16.5 cm 9 cm × 16.5 cm Unknown Plant height 15″ in 6″ pot. 18″ in 6″ pot. 17″ in 6″ pot. 12″ in 6″ pot - observed controls grown alongside new variety. Stem strength Stems are Stems are Stems are strong. Strong - observed relatively strong. relatively strong. controls grown alongside new variety Sepal Upper side of Upper side of Upper side of sepals Upper side of sepals Pigmentation sepals is R.H.S. sepals is R.H.S. is R.H.S. 67 A (red - is R.H.S. 74 C (red - 73 A (red - 61 B (red - purple group); Under purple group). Under purple group) in purple group); side of sepals is side of sepals is center and Under side of R.H.S. 68 A (red- R.H.S. 75 B (purple margins of sepals is R.H.S. purple group). group) observed sepals are 70 C (red-purple controls grown R.H.S. 56 A (red group). alongside new group). variety. Sepalous 70 mm 65 mm 60 mm 50 mm - observed Floret Size controls grown alongside new variety

The new cultivar ‘BC8.3’ has been successfully asexually reproduced under controlled environmental conditions at a nursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif. under the direction of the inventor with its distinguishing characteristics remaining stable.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexually reproduced, successive generations grown in Half Moon Bay, Calif. show that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘BC8.3’ remains firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show the typical plant form, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals.

FIG. 1 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 2 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 3 is a close-up of the adaxial surface of a mature leaf.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the base of the stem.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the upper side of a panicle of the new variety.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the center of a panicle of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plants shown in the figures are approximately 1 years old. The plant started out as cuttings, taken from the stem of a grown plant. The cuttings were placed in a pot and the soil was periodically fertilized. The plant was pinched early to promote lateral branches.

‘BC8.3’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Color determinations were made with The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart, in association with the Flower Council of Holland, located in Lieden.

THE PLANT

-   Origin: Controlled cross. The new cultivar originated as a seedling     from a controlled cross between the commercial variety known to the     inventor as ‘Nizza’, and the commercial variety ‘Messalina’. -   Form: Upright, compact shrub. A typical plant with a mature     inflorescence that is ready for sale is approximately 15″ high and     has a diameter of 16″ when grown in a 6″ pot with appropriate soil     amendments. Plants typically have 4 to 6 stems with one     inflorescence between each stem. -   Growth: Upright, vigorous growth habit. Inflorescence is large. The     plant branches easily with shoots forming at the base of the plant.     Lateral branches are similar in appearance and form to the main     stems. -   Stems: Lenticels are present. Lenticels are R.H.S. 86 A (violet     group) and are 1 to 2 mm long. The surface of young stems is     glabrous. Stems become woody as they age. The color of typical young     stems and young lateral branches is R.H.S. 144 A (green group). The     older portions of the stems are R.H.S. 197 A (grey-green group)     Younger portions of the stems are 6 mm in diameter. Older portions     of the stems are 1 cm in diameter. -   Foliage: Abundant. Leaves are opposite on stem and lateral branches.     Shape of leaf. — Elliptic with acute base and apex. Margins are     serrate. Texture. — Glabrous; veins dominate on the underside of the     leaf and are sunken on the upper leaf surface. Color. — Mature     leaves have an upper side that is R.H.S. 147 A (yellow-green group),     and an under side that is R.H.S. 138 B (green group). Leaves are     pinnately veined. The midvein and veins branching off the midvein     are large and prominent on the underside of the leaves. Veins are     R.H.S. 144 D (yellow-green group). Leaves are as wide as 10 cm and     16 cm long. Petioles are smooth and 2 to 2.5 cm long and 4 mm wide.     Petioles are R.H.S. 144 D (yellow-green group).

BUDS

-   Form: Globose with 4 to 5 connate, elliptic, smooth petals for both     sepalous and non-sepalous buds. Buds in the center of the     inflorescence are non-sepalous. The buds ringing the outside of the     inflorescence will develop into sepalous florets. Buds are     approximately 1 mm by 1 mm when very young. Buds can be 5 mm in     diameter and still unopened. Color of buds is R.H.S. 77 C     (red-purple group) when almost ready to open. Buds are R.H.S. 145 D     (yellow-green group) when immature. -   Aspect: Smooth. -   Arrangement: Borne on branched panicles.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Form: Paniculate. Terminal. As many as 100 individual flowers     (florets) per inflorescence. Both sepalous florets and non-sepalous     florets borne on same panicle with more non-sepalous florets than     sepalous florets. Flowers do not produce a fragrance. The peduncle     for the inflorescence is strong and upright. Non-sepalous florets in     the center of the panicle develop early on cymes and are later     somewhat hidden by the sepalous florets. Florets, both sepalous and     non-sepalous, have anthers and style. Inflorescences are     long-lasting, changing color as they age. -   Size of inflorescence: Compact and rather flat. Individual     inflorescence size is dependent on the number of florets. A typical     inflorescence can grow as large as 8″ in diameter, and be 4″ high. -   Shape: Clusters of numerous small florets; sepalous florets overlap     one another. Sepals are persistent. -   Appearance: Somewhat showy.

FLORETS

-   General: — The non-sepalous florets at the center of the     inflorescence open first. Sepalous and non-sepalous florets are     perfect and complete. Corolla: Generally, for both sepalous and     non-sepalous florets the petals fall off as flower matures. Petals     are typically 4 mm long and 3 mm wide. Petals are R.H.S. 77 C     (red-purple group). Lenticels that are very small are present on     pedicels of both sepalous and non-sepalous florets. Lenticels are     R.H.S. 59 B (red-purple) group. Pedicel of both sepalous and     non-sepalous florets are primarily R.H.S. 68 A (red-purple group)     when inflorescence is ready for commercial sale. Pedicels of     non-sepalous florets are 6 mm long, and pedicels of sepalous florets     are up to 40 mm long. -   Stamens: — 8 to 10 stamens. Pollen is R.H.S. 158 C (yellow-white     group). Plant produces abundant pollen. Filament is R.H.S. 72 A     (red-purple group) and 3 mm long. Anther is 1 mm long and is regular     and basally attached. -   Stigma: — Two to three style each ovary, sometimes four. Each style     has one stigma. Style is typically 1 mm long. For young     inflorescences ready for commercial sale style is R.H.S. 73 A     (red-purple group) and stigma is R.H.S. 72 A (red-purple group). -   Ovary: — Ovary is partially inferior. -   Sepalous florets: General. — Veins dominate on the underside of the     sepals. Number of sepals. — 3 to 5 sepals per floret, with most     having 4 sepals. Aspect of sepals. — Smooth and glaucescent. Shape     of sepals. — Reniform with acuminate apex. Edges are entire, but     with crenation. Size of sepals. — As the florets mature, the sepals     enlarge and overlap each other more and more, until, often, there is     no space between the sepals when the petals of the florets open.     Sepals at maturity are typically 40 mm long and 45 mm wide, with     some being as wide as 60 mm. Flowers are typically 7 cm in diameter.     The upper sides of the sepals near the center of the floret are     primarily R.H.S. 73 A (red-purple group) with the margins of the     sepals being R.H.S. 56 A (red group). The color of the sepals     typically fades near the tips of the sepals. -   Fruit: none. -   Disease and pest resistance: unknown. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea macrophylla plant named ‘BC8.3’ substantially as herein shown and described. 